First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Put on gloves and wipe up the solids with paper towels, then bag them.
- Blot or carefully scrape off the excess. Don't rub.
- Start now, because set-in stains are harder to remove.
- Keep heat away from the spot until the stain is gone.
Vomit that soaks into a mattress combines protein, starch and stomach acid, and it sinks deeper into the padding the longer it sits. A fresh spill usually lifts after one careful round, while a dried one can take several and may leave some color that never fully comes back. Memory foam is the trickiest case, since too much liquid can break it down, so the amount of water you use counts for as much as the product.
To clean puke out of a mattress, press white cotton cloths on the spot, then let it dry fully. If the smell lingers, a pet enzyme stain and odor remover is the product to reach for, not an air freshener. Getting old vomit stains out of a mattress takes more rounds, so call a pro if they keep coming back.
Before you start
What mattress can take
Use with care4
- Water
- Oxygen bleach
- Enzyme cleaners
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
Avoid4
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
6 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Disposable glovesKeeps the mess off your hands while you lift the solids. (opens Amazon)
- Paper towels and a plastic trash bagLift the solids and bag them before anything else. (opens Amazon)
- Washcloths or an absorbent towelBlot up the liquid without rubbing.
- Urine remover sprayThe treatment for the stain itself, used in small amounts. (opens Amazon)
- Clean washcloth and cold waterFor the damp rinse that lifts the leftover remover.
- Fan (optional)Speeds up air drying so the mattress is dry before bedding goes back on. (opens Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Strip the bed and blot the liquid
Take the sheets off and set them aside to wash in the machine. Press several washcloths or an absorbent towel onto any liquid still on the mattress, lifting rather than rubbing.
Careful. Wear gloves, and don't shake the soiled sheets.
Step 2 of 5
Spray the remaining stain
Mist the remaining stain with the urine remover until it is just damp. Work from the outer edge toward the center so the spot doesn't spread.
Careful. Too much remover can soak into the foam, and excess moisture can break it down.
Step 3 of 53 minutes
Let the remover work
Leave the remover on the stain for 3 minutes so it has time to work. Don't wipe it off early.
Step 4 of 5
Rinse the spot with a damp cloth
Dampen a clean washcloth with a little cold water. Blot or dab the treated area to rinse it, switching to a clean part of the cloth as it picks up the stain.
Tip. Wring the cloth out well before each dab so the spot stays damp, not wet.
Step 5 of 5
Let the mattress dry completely
Let the mattress air dry all the way through before you put any bedding back on. A fan pointed at the spot can speed this up.
Tip. Check the spot with the back of your hand. If it still feels cool or damp, keep waiting.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for vomit on mattress
Choose a urine remover spray and spray only enough to dampen the stain. Never mix it with another remover, and never use one that contains bleach.
BISSELL Little Green Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
OdoBan Odor Eliminator & Disinfectant Concentrate
Utopia Kitchen White Flour Sack Towels
Empty Spray Bottles 16oz/4Pack
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on mattress, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light before using any heat. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
Each blot should pull less of the mess onto your cloth, and the spot should look lighter by the time it's fully dry. Wait out the drying before you judge it, because damp foam looks darker than it will end up. If the smell is also gone once the bed has aired out, you're finished.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your mattress
Puke on a mattress
With fresh puke, most of the mess is thick or solid, so lift the solids off with paper towels before anything else touches the spot. Bag them right away and keep your gloves on the whole time.
After that, follow the steps as written. If the cloth still picks up liquid, blot with a few extra passes until it comes up clean.
Vomit smell in memory foam
Memory foam is the most at risk, because excess moisture can break it down. Keep every pass light, and never let the spot soak.
If the smell is still there once the mattress is fully dry, don't add more liquid. Treat it as an old stain and go through the repeat rounds in the old-stain section instead.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old vomit is harder to remove than fresh, and dried vomit usually needs more than one pass. Start over with the spray, the full 3-minute wait, the damp rinse and complete drying. Do this several times, checking the spot only after it has fully dried.
Soaking is not an option on a mattress, and stronger products are not safe to try. Stomach acid can permanently change the color of fabric, so some discoloration may stay even after several rounds. Stop when the spot stops getting lighter, because more liquid only adds risk.
If the spot still won't lift after several rounds, an upholstery cleaner is the next option. Set your expectations: some faint marking may remain after all of this.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on vomit on mattress?
Most home remedies you'll find online don't belong on a mattress, and a few can set the stain. Only the urine remover and cold water suit a mattress, so every other remedy is a poor fit.
Skip5Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't push the stain deeper
Pressing hard or rubbing forces the vomit down into the fabric and padding, where it is harder to lift. Blot and lift with a clean cloth instead.
Don't dry the spot with heat
A hair dryer or heater is the wrong shortcut on this stain. A fan does the job without the risk.
Don't spray until the spot is soaked
Spray just enough to dampen the stain, because anything extra keeps the padding wet for longer than you want. Heavy spraying carries moisture down into the foam underneath, which is the last place you want it.
Don't reach for a steam cleaner too soon
Steam only comes into play after the spot has air dried and the mark is still showing. Follow the machine's instructions, and never run it over a spot that's still damp from the last round.
Don't touch the mess with bare hands
Wear rubber or disposable gloves for the solids and the blotting, since bare hands can pick up the mess. Throw the used towels away in a plastic trash bag right away.
When to call a professional
If the mark still shows after the steps, or the stain has gone deep into the foam, an upholstery cleaner is the next call to make. Tell them how old the stain is and which products you've already sprayed on it.
Questions
Can vomit permanently stain a mattress?
It can. Stomach acid in vomit can permanently change fabric color, so some marks may stay even after careful cleaning. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of a clean result.
Is hydrogen peroxide good for vomit on a mattress?
Not for this job. Peroxide is meant for colorfast fabric only, and you can't confirm that for an unknown mattress cover.
Should I use a steam cleaner on a vomit stain?
Not as a first step. Steam is hot and can set a protein stain, so skip it for this one. Wait until the spot is clean and fully dry before deciding anything else.
Will a stain that has been there for days come out?
It may, but expect several rounds of treatment and don't count on a perfect result. Stomach acid can change the fabric color, so some marks can remain.
Does baking soda help with the smell in a mattress?
Yes, once the spot is fully dry, baking soda can pull odor out of the padding. Dust it over the area and leave it for twenty minutes to an hour for a light smell, or as long as five hours if the odor is strong. Vacuum it off afterward, and repeat if you still notice the smell.
Will a mattress protector stop the next spill from reaching the padding?
A removable protector is the easiest barrier to add, and it catches most spills before they reach the padding underneath. Keep a spare on hand so you can swap it straight away after an accident. Check the label for the right wash temperature before you run it.
How long should a mattress air out after a spot clean?
Until the spot is dry all the way through, which can take longer than it looks, since a surface that feels dry may still be damp in the padding. A fan across the area speeds things up, and open windows help the room dry out too. Don't put sheets back on until the middle of the spot feels dry as well.
Vomit on other materials
Other stains on mattress
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.